July-where DO the months go!? As I write this...birthday month is fast approaching which kinda scares me. I'm easily scared let's be honest. What I am not scared of though are these five things for July; a bit of eye product love, mini bookclubs, podcasts and books. All the good stuff...

In The Bathroom With Caitlin Moran: This totally made my Saturday evening-part one of a two part video with Caitlin and Sali. Bad language, banter and a smattering of skincare. I believe part two goes into the makeup side of things and I am eagerly anticipating it. They also discuss Caitlin's newest book, How To Be Famous which I am hoping to read very soon. It's a good time basically.

Mini Book Clubs: So I read a lot and that's great but sometimes you just want to share the bookish banter around a bit y'know? Anyway, towards the end of last month I persuaded one of my friends to read more books with me and thus, a two-person book club was formed. At the moment they are reading Sing Unburied Sing. I am reading Ponti and I also threw The Goldfinch at them. Not literally, that book is hefty. We both have similar tastes when it comes to books but like different writing styles so I'm sure we will have some interesting banter when it comes to things too. I'm really looking forward to the reading and chatting. 

Eye Revival: Dark circles are the bane of my existence. If I'm not wearing under-eye concealer, nine times out of ten I will be told I look tired. I grabbed these patches a few months back after having them used on me at a Mecca Beauty Loop makeover session and I love them. I use them sparingly and would only buy the mini pack with the sachets because I hear they dry out in the larger jar. These gels are soaked in caffeine and collagen so y'know, ingredients to brighten up those pesky under-eye areas. They're also a treat to use. 

Unpopped Podcast: My latest Podcast discovery c/o Dolly and Pandora over at The High Low. Pop culture discussions with a smattering of critique. I loved the episodes about Bridget Jones and The Spice Girls when they were interviewed by Kathy Acker. There's a heap in the archives though and I cannot wait to get listening to the rest. I highly recommend this one if you want something to listen and unwind with. 

Notes On A Nervous Planet x Matt Haig: I read Reasons To Stay Alive, also by Matt Haig a couple of years ago now and it's such an important book. Difficult to read at times, sure but so, so important. Anyway, his new book has recently been released and if the previews he's posted on Instagram are anything to go by, it's going to be a blimmin' good one. Packed with wisdom and insight. If you haven't yet read Reasons To Stay Alive I highly recommend acquiring a copy. 

-What's on your radar this July?

November's coming to a close which means it is November Favourites time. There's been so many standout books and beauty products this month so I really struggled to condense my loves down for once. No doubt the things that aren't featured here will make an appearance somewhere else in the next month or so. Today we have a bit of everything really; beauty, books and a musical that does not disappoint in the slightest. Enjoy and be sure to let me know what you have loved this month in the comments. 

Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes-There is nobody who can make beauty products sound quite as magical as Sali Hughes does. She makes it an art, that is for sure. Pretty Iconic looks at 200 beauty products from the last year and answers why they're staples and have changed the beauty game now or in the past. Many of them have Sali's own personal anecdotes and associations alongside them as well. It's really a book for total beauty obsessives and is the tome you will want to immerse yourself in for a lengthy period of time. I love it and am still reading it as I write this, to savour the decadent prose for a bit longer. 

MAC Liptensity lipstick in Doe-Given I own a fair amount of lipsticks, it really says something when I reach for the same lipstick over and over rather than rotating them around. That is exactly what happened with me this month and Doe is virtually all I wore. The Liptensity lipsticks sit somewhere between a Cremesheen and a Lustre lipstick from MAC in my opinion. They have an almost slightly tacky feel to them which helps them stick around. Doe is your standard, neutral lipstick but there's just something about it that I find so flattering when I'm wearing it. I love it.

Estee Lauder Brow Duo, Brow Now Volumizing Brow Tint* and The Brow Multi Tasker*-I don't usually get too excited by brow products, mainly because I struggle to find ones that don't make my eyebrows look like Helga's from Hey Arnold but these two are the best. I could probably opt to not use the brow gel but it keeps them in place all day so I like to use it. The real winner though is The Brow Multi Tasker pencil, an angled crayon with a spoolie on the other end. I find angular pencils like this a lot easier to use and they can be more forgiving than something like the pomades that are everywhere.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit in Surreal Light, limited edition-This palette is inevitably going to end up in a few monthly favourites posts, that's my prediction at least. Just look at its outside casing for starters. Beautiful. Inside you have a finishing powder, two blushers, a strobe powder and a bronzer. One thing I will say is the bronzer is incredibly light so unless you're extremely pale I don't think it will translate as a bronzer. For that reason I use it as a blush. Otherwise I have no real qualms with this palette, aside from its somewhat eye-watering price tag. In saying that, Hourglass palettes last a lifetime so you get your money's worth. 

The Body Shop Eye Colour Stick in Nevada Gold*-Eyeshadow crayons are one of my many beauty vices. They don't require a great deal of work and are so easy to just swipe on and be done with. I'll admit The Body Shop's aren't quite as creamy as the uber luxe By Terry offerings but they're still pretty fantastic. Nevada Gold is a champagne, sparkly wash of colour for the lids. It's a beautiful colour to wear and lasts really well with primer underneath. It's going to be my go-to in the hotter months. 

The Wrong Girl by Zoe Foster Blake-While I was in Australia, I went to Readings, which is like a Melbourne version of Unity Books and I purchased Zoe's book alongside one by Frankie magazine. It's the book that has also inspired a TV series on Channel Ten in Australia, which I watched some of and loved. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect tonic to the mess that was the Presidential Election. It's entertaining, heartwarming and the book equivalent of a bunch of peonies. If you want a light read for the beach this Summer, this is your book. 

Matilda The Musical-Matilda by Roald Dahl is one of the first books I remember reading by myself and the movie was one I watched countless times in my childhood. Naturally the musical was always, always going to appeal to me. I can tell you it is amazing. Part musical, part play, it is a visual feast and the score is superb. The Australian cast were all so talented too, major props to Elise McCann as Miss Honey and James Millar as Miss Trunchbull. If you get the opportunity to see this show, do not pass it up.

-What have you loved during November?

*PR Sample

-Images from: here and here

2016 is shaping up to be a pretty promising year on the reading side of things. There's some exciting new novels and non-fiction reads that have me excited like Leslie Knope when she's presented with friendship waffles. This is only a small selection, but no doubt you will see the rest of them in posts throughout the year. So without further ado, here's some books that are coming out in 2016 that I am quite eager to get into reading...

There's not many beauty books that have stuck with me. I often find myself left disappointed by the lack of usefulness contained within their pages. Let's face it, they're all pretty similar. Thankfully, Sali Hughes penned Pretty Honest nearly two years back because this is the only beauty book you'll need. 

It's a hefty book but don't let that intimidate you. Sali Hughes has penned the ultimate beauty resource in her no-nonsense, no-fuss manner and it's so engaging. I even found the sections on topics that weren't as relevant to me, e.g. beauty for mature women fascinating. I'll be honest, I haven't re-read this yet but I am going to asap because revisiting my review has reminded me how much I did enjoy it. With its release in New Zealand coming up as well it's the perfect time to dip back into its beauty goodness.

Speaking of New Zealand releases, today I have a bit of a giveaway for my Kiwi readers thanks to Harper Collins. You, or a friend, if you're feeling generous, could win a copy of Sali Hughes book Pretty Honest. It is the paperback edition but it has a snazzy cover with gold detailing. You know how much I love a metallic accent.. 

As for terms & conditions, you must be following Nana Wintour and Harper Collins NZ on Instagram. All the other choices are optional. Don't forget to leave your email address as I'll need to contact you if you win. Also, if you're under 18, please get permission to enter. Harper Collins will be mailing this direct to you so I need to pass your details on to them. Other than that, good luck and I will announce the winner on my Instagram next week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

*This giveaway has been made possible thanks to Harper Collins NZ. I was in no way compensated for this post. As always all thoughts+appreciation of Sali Hughes' fabulously crafted prose are my own. 

If you've read Sali Hughes' book Pretty Honest, you'll be familiar with her chapter on beauty icons. It's a feature she regularly has over on her site as well. While I don't have my copy of the book to hand (yet), I remember really loving this section and wanting to put my own spin on it. There's many women whose beauty I admire. It could be in the makeup they use to express themselves, the way they put their outfits together or their beautiful spirit and how they hold themselves. Today I am going to share with you three of my beauty icons and why I think they're beautiful.

Rosamund Pike-Ever since I first saw Rosamund onscreen as Helen in An Education  I was utterly mesmerised. She was absolutely striking in that film and despite being a secondary character her beauty really shone through whenever she was in scenes. Even in Gone Girl when Amy Dunne is at her craziest she still looks striking. It was almost hard to be mad at her character actually. She has very classic, elegant style and always looks so put together. Her makeup and hair is always effortless too and so chic. Her presence really shines through regardless of what makeup is on her face. She's just so classy. #girlcrush

Alexa Chung-Alexa freakin' Chung. She's often labeled the ultimate "it girl", a title I don't like. You cannot deny she is just so effortlessly cool though. Her style may not be as clear cut. It seems to change on the daily. I love her ballet-class outfits when she's been to Ballet Beautiful or her Glastonbury outfits. Side note: I clearly read too many Alexa interviews...Her makeup though is so on point. It's perfect in that kind of 'no makeup, makeup' way. Let's be real, nobody else has eyeliner game quite as strong as Alexa. If I can grow up to be as freakin' rad as her one day I'll be really happy.

Keira Knightley-When I think Keira I think modern day Audrey. Aside from her enviable couture outfits and her parisian chic street-style, she also has that presence which makes you forget whatever else is going on in films and editorials. She's just so beautiful. Her makeup is also so simple and effortless. Are you noticing a trend here? I love her Chanel campaigns and also her faux-wedding video in Love Actually. Google 'em and prepare to have emoji hearts for eyes after.

*Who are your beauty icons?

Beauty books that I've read in the past seem to leave me feeling a bit 'meh'. Not in that they make me feel bad about myself, I just feel like they leave a lot to be desired. It's how I feel about most fashion style-guide books too. Anyway, I came across Pretty Honest online and tracked it down in one of Auckland's libraries and have spent the last couple of weeks devouring its contents and now I feel ready to rave about it..

Now Sali Hughes has been immersed in all things beauty for a long time, having been the beauty editor at many of Britain's top newspapers and magazines. It's safe to say she knows her stuff and Pretty Honest was filled to the brim with beauty advice you need from how to approach snitchy sales assistants at beauty counters, to the best beauty gifts to buy for someone else. It's really like one big beauty dictionary but way more interesting. Seriously, I read every section, even the ones that weren't as relevant for me and there was always something I could take from them. It's one of those books I can imagine myself going back to and steering both beauty newbies and lovers alike in the direction of. Sali, I take my hat off to you for making a beauty book that is useful, engaging and just an all-round fabulous resource.